CAN’T KEEP CAIDEE CONTAINED

BELOIT, OH — Some players leave their mark on a program through individual statistics. Others help build a winning culture that lasts long after their final game. For West Branch senior Caidee Schroeder, the past four years have been about both, and now the Warriors’ versatile standout is preparing to take her talents to the collegiate level after helping lead one of the greatest seasons in school history.

Schroeder will continue her academic and athletic career at Bluffton University, taking the next step in a soccer journey that has included conference championships, record-breaking team accomplishments, and a historic trip to the Ohio high school state semifinals.

Wearing No. 7 for the Warriors, the 5-foot-5 senior has developed into one of West Branch’s most versatile offensive contributors. Listed as a midfielder, forward, and defender on the school’s official roster, Schroeder has demonstrated an ability to contribute in multiple areas of the field while becoming one of the team’s most productive scoring threats.

Her senior campaign provided a fitting conclusion to an impressive high school career. According to MaxPreps’ latest available 2026 statistics, Schroeder finished with 16 goals, 11 assists, and 43 points, ranking second on the Warriors in goals and points while finishing third in assists.

Those numbers placed her behind only sophomore scoring sensation Elli Colian in goals and points, while her playmaking production helped give West Branch one of the most balanced attacks in the Eastern Buckeye Conference.

For Schroeder, the ability to both finish scoring opportunities and create chances for teammates has been a defining characteristic of her game. While Colian attracted attention with her record-setting goal production, Schroeder provided another dangerous option for opposing defenses to contend with.

Her versatility also allowed head coach Zach Dean to utilize her in different roles depending on the matchup, giving the Warriors flexibility throughout a demanding schedule.

Schroeder’s development has been years in the making. She was listed as a midfielder and winger during her sophomore season in 2024 before expanding her positional responsibilities to include forward and defender as a junior in 2025.

That progression reflects the variety of roles she has filled for West Branch, gaining experience in different areas of the field while continuing to develop her offensive production.

During her junior campaign, Schroeder delivered several important performances as the Warriors built momentum toward another successful postseason run.

On September 3, 2025, she scored against Minerva in an 8-0 victory, contributing to a dominant offensive performance that helped West Branch continue its strong start to the season.

A week later, Schroeder found the back of the net against Marlington, helping the Warriors secure a 4-0 shutout victory in Eastern Buckeye Conference play.

Her production continued into October, when she scored during a 2-0 victory over Salem on October 1. Five days later, she added an assist in a 5-0 win over Ursuline, demonstrating her ability to contribute as both a scorer and a playmaker.

One of her most complete postseason performances came October 21, 2025, when West Branch defeated Woodridge 8-0 in tournament action.

Schroeder recorded a goal and an assist in the victory, contributing three points as the Warriors advanced deeper into the postseason.

The 2025 campaign eventually ended with a narrow 3-2 loss to Chagrin Falls, but the experience helped prepare Schroeder and her returning teammates for an even bigger opportunity during their senior season.

West Branch entered 2026 with a talented group of experienced players and championship expectations. Schroeder was part of an 11-member senior class that included Cambrie Nezbeth, Ellie Tucker, Audrey Eaton, Emma Klingensmith, Grace Bates, Bri Clark, Alinee Bacconi, Hailie Singer, Nicole Deckerd, and Maggie Tennefoss.

Together, the group provided the experience and leadership necessary to help the Warriors navigate a season that would eventually become the most successful in program history.

Schroeder wasted little time making an impact. On August 31, West Branch welcomed Berkshire to the West Branch Soccer Complex and delivered a convincing 5-0 victory to improve to 6-0.

Schroeder opened the scoring with an early goal, setting the tone for an afternoon in which the Warriors controlled the match from start to finish.

Colian followed with two first-half goals, while Bates and Tucker added second-half scores to complete the shutout. Schroeder also recorded an assist, finishing with three points in the victory.

The performance showcased her ability to make an immediate impact, providing an early offensive spark while also helping create opportunities for teammates.

As the season progressed, Schroeder continued to contribute to a West Branch attack that was becoming increasingly difficult to defend.

On September 23, the Warriors celebrated Senior Night with a 4-0 victory over Alliance, improving to 11-0 overall while recording their sixth consecutive shutout.

Schroeder was among four different goal scorers in the victory, joining Clark, Colian, and Bacconi in finding the back of the net.

She also contributed an assist, helping West Branch celebrate its senior class with another dominant performance.

The victory was especially meaningful for Schroeder and her classmates, who had spent years working toward the opportunity to lead the program.

Three days later, Schroeder delivered another important goal in one of West Branch’s biggest regular-season matchups.

Facing a talented Poland team on September 26, the Warriors battled through a competitive contest before securing a 3-1 victory.

Colian scored twice, including the goal that established a new West Branch single-season scoring record, while Schroeder added the Warriors’ other goal.

Her contribution helped West Branch improve to 12-0, preserving its undefeated record against one of the area’s strongest opponents. The victory also demonstrated the importance of having multiple scoring threats. While Colian’s record-breaking performance attracted attention, Schroeder provided another offensive option in a match where every goal mattered.

That balance became increasingly important as West Branch continued facing quality competition. On October 6, the Warriors defeated Cardinal Mooney 2-0, extending their unbeaten start to 15 matches and establishing a new school record for regular-season victories.

Schroeder contributed an assist in the victory, helping create one of the scoring opportunities as Colian and Klingensmith each found the back of the net.

The win also featured another milestone for Colian, who established the school’s single-season points record. For Schroeder, being part of those accomplishments represented another chapter in a senior season filled with historic moments.

West Branch continued its remarkable run through the remainder of the regular season, completing an undefeated campaign and capturing the Eastern Buckeye Conference championship.

The Warriors entered the Division IV postseason with a combination of offensive firepower, defensive discipline, and experienced leadership that made them one of the state’s most dangerous teams.

Schroeder’s contributions were an important part of that balance. While her 16 goals demonstrated her ability to finish scoring opportunities, her 11 assists reflected an unselfish approach that helped teammates find success. Playing alongside Colian, Nezbeth, Tucker, and other talented contributors, Schroeder helped form an attack that could create scoring opportunities from several positions.

That versatility proved valuable as the competition intensified during the postseason. West Branch advanced through the early tournament rounds with convincing victories over Brookside and Struthers before facing Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary in the district championship.

The Warriors survived a hard-fought 1-0 contest to capture the district title and extend their undefeated season.

A regional semifinal rematch against Poland followed on November 3, with West Branch delivering a commanding 4-0 victory to advance to the regional championship.

Four days later, the Warriors faced Warren JFK in a matchup featuring two of the area’s strongest programs.

With a trip to the state semifinals on the line, West Branch battled through another defensive struggle before Nezbeth delivered the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory.

The win secured the first regional championship in West Branch girls soccer history, sending the Warriors to the state Final Four for the first time.

For Schroeder and her fellow seniors, the accomplishment represented the culmination of years of work, development, and dedication to the program.

The Warriors had accomplished something no previous West Branch girls soccer team had achieved, and their senior class had helped establish a new standard for future generations.

West Branch entered the state semifinals with a perfect 22-0 record, having navigated an entire regular season and four postseason matches without suffering a defeat.

The historic campaign eventually came to an end on November 10, when the Warriors fell 3-0 to Cincinnati Mariemont at Heath High School.

Despite the loss, West Branch finished 22-1, completing a season that included an undefeated regular season, a conference championship, a district title, and the program’s first regional championship.

For Schroeder, the final result did little to diminish what she and her teammates had accomplished.

The senior helped lead a team that set new school standards for victories and postseason success while establishing itself among Ohio’s top Division IV programs.

Her individual production was also among the best on the roster, with 16 goals and 11 assists reflecting the important role she played in the Warriors’ offense.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of Schroeder’s high school career is that her soccer journey isn’t ending with the Warriors.

Her decision to continue playing at Bluffton University provides an opportunity to build on the experience and skills she developed at West Branch while pursuing a college education.

Bluffton competes at the NCAA Division III level as a member of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, giving Schroeder an opportunity to continue competing against talented student-athletes from across the region.

Her experience playing multiple positions could be especially valuable as she makes the transition to college soccer. Having contributed as a midfielder, forward, and defender, Schroeder brings a background that could provide flexibility as she adjusts to a new team and a higher level of competition.

She also carries the experience of competing in high-pressure postseason matches, including district and regional championship games and a state semifinal appearance.

Those experiences have provided opportunities to develop the composure, discipline, and teamwork necessary to succeed at the collegiate level.

For West Branch, Schroeder’s graduation will mark the departure of another important member of a senior class that helped transform the program’s expectations.

The Warriors will eventually turn their attention toward developing the next generation of players, with Colian and other younger contributors positioned to help carry the program forward.

But the accomplishments of Schroeder and her classmates will remain part of West Branch soccer history.

They helped deliver the program’s first regional championship, reached the state Final Four, and established a standard that future teams will strive to match.

For Schroeder, those accomplishments provide a fitting conclusion to a high school career built on versatility, offensive production, and a commitment to team success.

From scoring important goals against Poland and Berkshire to helping create opportunities against Alliance and Cardinal Mooney, she consistently found ways to contribute during the Warriors’ historic season.

Now, the next chapter awaits in Bluffton. Caidee Schroeder arrived at West Branch as a young player looking to make her mark. She leaves as a regional champion, a state semifinalist, and one of the offensive leaders of the most successful girls soccer team in school history. And while her days wearing the Warriors’ colors have come to an end, her soccer journey is far from finished.

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CAN’T KEEP CAIDEE CONTAINED

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